On Aug. 18, the Salisbury Township School board held its first in-person meeting since the pandemic first paused face-to-face gatherings for the district back in 2020.

There was a sizable crowd on hand, as community members were informed previously only attendees at the physical meeting, not those who tuned in at home via the livestream on YouTube, would be able to comment. There was also a police presence, understanding hot-button community issues would be on the agenda for the evening.

Without any presentations or student representative reports, the meeting opened to citizen inquiries and comments. Seeing the health and safety plan as one of the topics up for board discussion, parents and even some students took to the microphone mainly to debate the policy of required masking for students.

There were passionate statements from both sides of the issue. Student Meredith Kelly spoke in favor of universal masking, citing many of her friends and peers felt similarly. Mike Baab, campaigning for a write-in spot for school board elections, spoke out against masks, referring to them as “muzzles.”

Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten began board discussion of the health and safety plan by sharing the updated guidance received from the State of Pennsylvania. It included new protocols for positive cases in schools, social distancing and ultimately the suggestion all students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, should be masked at all times indoors.

Fuini-Hetten then presented the results of a recent survey regarding parent and staff opinion on masking in schools. The responses were split along a very thin divide; however, those in favor of universal masking stood at 49.1 percent, 42.8 percent wished for optional masking and 8.1 percent were undecided.

The board debated at length and questioned many of the areas of state guidance and how that would affect schooling and possible closures in the coming year. Also, the question of the legality of a mask requirement was raised. The school’s solicitor reported that according to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, districts do have legal authority to enforce a universal mask policy.

The general consensus among the board was the most important thing for students was the ability to return to in person classes and remain there. Most agreed the best way to do this is to require mask wearing.

When brought to a vote, only board member Audrey Frick voted no to the updated health and safety plan with the masking policy update, citing she believed parents would make the best choices not just for their families, but for the community their children interact with as well. With one abstention by board member Carol Klinger and all other board members voting yes, the updated plan was approved.

All 53 personnel items were approved by the board as well, and after other brief reports, Fuini-Hetten presented her superintendent’s report, bringing up once again several staffing positions remain unoccupied for the fall, including instructional assistants, a part-time Spanish teacher at Salisbury Middle School and assistant principal at Salisbury High School, with the transfer of Brian Muschlitz from the high school to Salisbury Elementary School.

All career opportunities can be viewed on the district website.

Fuini-Hetten also spoke about her commitment to creating a more communicative and transparent administration and mentioned she welcomed feedback from the community regarding monthly email updates. The next school board meeting will take place in person at the administration building Sept. 15.